J-pop and sci-fi: outlandish shows at Tokyo Fashion Week

TOKYO - The Marc Jacobs of Japan, singing cats and models cloaked in armour: J-pop and science fiction transformed Tokyo Fashion Week spring/summer 2017 into a style fest unlike any other. In a world where fashion mines entertainment like never before ... ( read original story ...)

Osaka: WTA Newcomer of the Year

SINGAPORE - Naomi Osaka has been named WTA Newcomer of the Year for 2016. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the tour in 2016, rising to a career-high ranking of No.40 after finishing 2015 ranked No.203. Osaka made an impact at Grand Slam ... ( read original story ...)

Japan earthquake: 6.2 magnitude quake hits west of country

A powerful earthquake with a suspected magnitude of 6.6 has shaken western Japan, injuring seven people -– one seriously. The Meteorological Agency said the earthquake occurred Friday at 2:10 p.m. (0510 GMT) in Japan's western prefecture of Tottori ... ( read original story ...)

How the world would benefit by turning Japanese

HAVING just returned from my second visit to Japan, I’m struck by the vast differences between them and us. I’m experiencing a strange type of sadness and not just regular post-holiday blues. I was in Japan with my boyfriend to see Boston rock band ... ( read original story ...)

Rowing federation against 2020 Tokyo Games venue change

TVC NEWS The proposed rowing venue for the 2020 Tokyo Games should not be changed as part of cost-cutting measures as it is the only one that meets Olympic standards, the International Rowing Federation (FISA) said on Thursday. The International Olympic ... ( read original story ...)

Junko Tabei, first woman to climb Everest, dies at 77

TOKYO – Japanese media reports say the first woman to climb ... "I was the 36th person to climb Everest." Japan's Kyodo News agency said that Tabei scaled peaks in more than 60 countries. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said she continued climbing ... ( read original story ...)

Death from overwork in Japan shows lessons unlearned

TOKYO -- Matsuri Takahashi's dream career at Japan's top ad agency, Dentsu, ended with her suicide as her overtime pushed past 100 hours a month. "I'm emotionless and only wish to sleep," she wrote, exhausted and depressed, in a Twitter post in October ... ( read original story ...)